i have become interested in buying a gps unit to have in my truck or in any other vehicle. my friend has a Garmin Nuvi. i don't know what model it is but it is pretty nice.

I am pretty sure this is the one my friend has.....
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-4-3-Inc...3976311&sr=1-3
He said he has had it for about 3 years and have not had any problems with it. he said that they make map updates that are available for download but he has never downloaded a single map update and it works just fine. it takes 20 sec tops to accuire the satelites when you turn the unit on. navigating around the menu screens is easy and simple. the features that are on the screen with the map are nice. it gives you warning in time to make your turn and it recaclulates quickly.

This appears to be the new version of my friends gps....
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-4-3-Inc...pr_product_top
This one specificaly says that there are no subscription fees. which is what i want. i don't want to have a monthly or yearly payment to make. from the reviews of this one though it seems to have quite a few bugs.

I don't want to spend more than $170-$180 for a gps unit. like i said i don't want to have to keep paying for subscription services and such. i want sonething that is simple to use and understand, easy to input your destination, something that gives me some warning to were i need to turn before i am at the street. something that holds onto the sat signal good.

If anybody has either of the two that i have listed above any input would be great. any other recomendations would be great as well.

Thanks
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

Just found this one....
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Bluetoo...4060678&sr=1-5

Seems to have many more positive reveiws than the others that i linked to in my OP. one thing that i keep reading in the reviews is how it is hard to update the firmware and such from the internet, but then they say that they are not very good with computers and they get a family member to help them and everything goes good.
The lane assist feature that comes with this one would be nice.

At first i did not want to spen this much for one of these but then my mom said to let my grandma know that i want one for christmas. you guys know how grandmas like to spoil their grandkids. My friend's grandma droped him 1K for his graduation gift. Holy crap.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

What about a cell phone app? Those are nice because they're updated automatically, and with some, you download the maps onto the phone so they'll work out in the boonies (which I've used hunting in Northcentral PA a few times). You just have to make sure your phone supports it, has enough storage, etc...

My wife has the same unit as the one you posted (255W) and I've never needed to update the maps. My neighborhood is about 5 years old and the streets were on it so I was satisfied with that. It works good, hasn't failed us yet (have had it about 3-4 years).

 

That looks like a good one!

Do you need the bluetooth for hands free cell phone talking?

If not then you may be able to get it a little cheaper.

Lifetime maps is a plus also!

 

Thanks for the input. i do not have data on my phone so an app would not work good for me. i have a touch sreen phone but is only about 2x3 in size. so it is not very gps viewing friendly.

 

No i am not going to get bluetooth. i will probly get the same thing just in the non-bluetooth version. on the link to the bluetooh one there are other models on the page below were the price is and i would get the 1450LMT model.